Sale Sharks' second row forward Tom Holmes and centre Corne Uys took to the stage at the Trafford Centre Christmas Lights event last night. Boyband McFly also thrilled thousands of screaming fans as the Trafford Centre kicked off their Christmas celebrations.

The Sale Sharks duo held a Q&A on stage with Key 103, before the chart-topping stars performed on The Orient stage and flicked the switch on the shopping mall's £1m Christmas lights. They wished the 7,000-strong audience a Merry Christmas before launching into an energetic version of their hit Obviously.They also performed It's All About You and Shine A Light.

The crowds were also entertained by new British three-piece girlband Stooshe and The Voice finalist Tyler James.

There was also a special tribute to the region's Olympians and Paralympians, with appearances from cycling stars Barney and Sarah Storey and Olympic Taekwondo star Jade Jones from North Wales.

Sale Sharks stars Corne Uys and Tom Holmes also appeared onstage admist the screams of a predominantly female audience to help promote the event. They answered questions from the Key 103 presenters about the club and the new stadium at Salford, diagonally across the Manchester Ship Canal from the Trafford Centre. See the lads onstage below...

The Trafford Centre's switch-on traditionally heralds the start of the shopping season at the mall, and is the earliest major illuminations display in the region to be opened. This year the decorations are billed as being better than ever - with chiefs installing one of the largest Christmas trees in Britain to be made entirely of Lego bricks.

Tony Sheehan, general manager at the Trafford Centre, said: "Stores catering for fashion, gifts, electronics and homewares have now brought out their Christmas ranges. Our Santa Claus' Grotto with 4D Cinema will open, with community choirs and brass bands taking to the Malls to help create the magical atmosphere for which The Trafford Centre is known.

"Our aim is to make The Trafford Centre a must-visit destination during the Christmas season."

Speaking to the Manchester Evening News, Sale boss Steve Diamond believes that some good old-fashioned home comforts can help drive the Sharks to a second successive top-six Premiership finish this season.

As England host the Rugby World Cup, the multi million selling soprano, Laura Wright, who is known to millions as the official anthem singer of the England Rugby Team will be getting behind all things rugby this February, continuing her support for the RFU's All Schools rugby campaign.